Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto fares hike likely

"It will be a minor hike ranging between Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 for Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto passengers after the revision of catering charges of the premier trains," a top Railway official involved with the decision making process said.

The revision will be announced shortly and the hike will be implemented as soon as the software is updated accordingly, the official said.

Once the revision is announced, fares of premier trains will witness hike for the second time after the latest increase on January 22.

Food tariff was revised for mail and express trains last month after 10 years, but it did not include catering services of Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto trains.

Passengers in premier trains are entitled to meals and snacks for which charges are included in the price of the ticket.

Railway ministry had constituted a committee to study and suggest revision of tariff and menu of standard meals in premier and other mail and Express trains.

"The decision to revise the tariff was taken after examining the committee's recommendations as well as suggestions from the Railway Board," the official said.

Cash-strapped Railways has announced a slew of measures to improve catering services in all trains. While some items like cold drinks and chocolates are to be removed from the menu of premier trains, ice creams and curd will be supplied from reputed brands only.

"We are working out details which include changes in the menu in Rajdhani and other premier trains with the aim to provide good quality food to passengers," he said.